Thursday, August 11, 2011

The debate began with the two most similar candidates– Minnesotans Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Rep. Michele Bachmann– pulling no punches in disparaging each other’s records. It wouldn’t take long for the two most different candidates to have at it, and the foreign policy conversation between. Rep. Ron Paul and Rick Santorum delivered just as much as the experience one among the Minnesotans.

Rep. Paul brought his vintage A-game to the debate on foreign policy tonight, attacking America’s foreign policy on Iran and arguing that they were entirely justified in wanting nuclear weapons. Arguing that the USSR had nuclear weapons and “they were the greatest danger in our history,” he concluded it made no sense to stop the Iranians, who were not a threat. Paul and Santorum clashed during Thursday's debate over Iran's nuclear ambitions and its threats to the United States. Paul says Santorum engages in "war propaganda." Santorum says Paul is "obviously not seeing clearly" on the subject and does not understand the threats to the country from Islamic militants.

Paul, a tea party favorite who opposes U.S. military engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan, says the United States is agitating in that region without reason. Santorum, the former No. 3 Republican in the Senate, says Iran is responsible for U.S. deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Celtic legends beat Manchester United legends 5-2 on 9 August, 2011 at Celtic Park in a charitiy match. The match is the 9th game produced by the Legends for live broadcast in the UK and internationally. These matches have raised hundreds of thousands for charity and are watched by millions of people worldwide.

Monday, July 18, 2011

FRANKFURT, Germany -- Japan has won the Women's World Cup, stunning the United States 3-1 in a penalty shootout Sunday night after coming from behind twice in a 2-2 tie.

Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath all failed to convert for the Americans, who squandered dozens of chances throughout the game and blew a lead just six minutes from winning their third World Cup title.

"This is obviously going to hurt for a while," said Abby Wambach, whose only hole in her glittering career is the World Cup title.

Japan had not beaten the Americans in their first 25 meetings, including a pair of 2-0 losses in warm-up games a month before the World Cup. But the Nadeshiko played inspired throughout the tournament, hoping their success could provide an emotional lift to their nation, still reeling from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

After being presented with the gold trophy, Japan's players jumped up and down on the podium, then gathered behind a sign reading "Champions. World Champions."

"Not one of the players gave up," said coach Norio Sasaki, who inspired his players before a quarterfinal by showing them pictures of the devastation. "The penalty kicks are always a 50-50 percent chance."

It's been 12 years since the United States has won the World Cup, and this team was certain they were the ones to break the drought. They'd needed to beat Italy in a two-game playoff just to get into the World Cup, then lost two games in a three-month span, an uncharacteristic "bad streak" for the U.S.

After easy wins in their first two games in Germany, the Americans lost to Sweden – their first loss ever in World Cup group play.

But they rallied with one of the most riveting finishes ever in a World Cup game – men's or women's – against Brazil in the quarterfinals. Down a player for almost an hour and on the verge of making their earliest exit ever from a major tournament, Abby Wambach's magnificent, leaping header in the 122nd minute tied the game.

The Americans beat Brazil on penalty kicks and, just like that, a nation was hooked.

Hollywood celebrities, pro athletes, even folks who don't know a bicycle kick from a Schwinn were captivated by the U.S. women and charmed by their grit and can-do attitude that is uniquely – proudly – American. Even President Barack Obama was a fan, taking to Twitter himself on Sunday morning to wish the team well.

"Sorry I can't be there to see you play, but I'll be cheering you on from here. Let's go. – BO."

The White House later released a photo of Obama and his family watching the game.

But the Americans lost this game as much as Japan won it.

"Evidently, it wasn't meant to be," Wambach said.

They'd taken the lead in the 104th minute off a header by Wambach. Alex Morgan, who scored the first American goal, came up with a blocked cross and sent it to Wambach, who was camped in front of the goal on the 6-yard line. Standing a head taller – and then some – from defenders on either side of her, she needed only to nod the ball into the net.

But Homare Sawa flicked in a corner kick in the 117th minute – earned after 36-year-old captain Christie Rampone raced to clear Yukari Kinga's chip over Hope Solo off the line. It was the fifth goal of the tournament for Sawa, playing in her fifth World Cup.

Japan had already scored late in regulation to force extra time.

"We ran and ran," Sawa said. "We were exhausted, but we kept running."

The Americans got one last chance when Morgan was floored by Azusa Iwashimizu just outside the area in the 121st minute. Lloyd, Boxx and Heather O'Reilly huddled behind the ball before O'Reilly tipped it to Lloyd. But Lloyd's shot was well wide, and Heath couldn't make anything happen with the rebound.

After beating Brazil on penalty kicks in a quarterfinal, the Americans just didn't have the same touch Sunday.

Boxx went first, and her shot banged off Ayumi Kaihori's right leg. After Aya Miyama made hers, wrong-footing Solo, Lloyd stepped up and sent her shot soaring over the crossbar. As the crowd gasped, Lloyd covered her mouth in dismay. Solo saved Japan's next shot, but Kaihori made an impressive two-handed save on Heath's shot.

Solo came up with a save, and Wambach buried hers. But Japan need to make just one more, and Saki Kumagai did.

"It's tough to do two rounds of penalties," Wambach said. "The keeper knows in a lot of ways where we're going to go. She made some great saves."

It never should have gotten that far. The Americans finished the first half with a 12-5 shot advantage but had just one attempt on target. Lauren Cheney came up short three times, Wambach shook the crossbar and Megan Rapinoe banged one off the near post.

The Americans finally broke through in the second half, with Morgan scoring her second goal of the tournament in the 69th. Rapinoe booted a pass that traveled almost half the length of the field and Morgan, who replaced the injured Lauren Cheney at halftime, beat three defenders to catch up to it. She shook Kumagai, touched the ball once with her right foot, stutter-stepped and then delivered a left-footed blast from 17 yards that Kaihori had no chance at stopping.

The Americans raced over to Morgan for a group bearhug while chants of "U-S-A! U-S-A!" echoed through the stadium.

But with just nine minutes or so before they could claim the title, the Americans gifted Japan a goal. Rachel Buehler tied to clear the ball right in front of the goal and knocked it to Ali Krieger, who botched her clearance, too. The ball fell to Miyama, who poked it in from five yards to tie it.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

On the heels of their miraculous come from behind victory over Brazil, the U.S. women will take on France in the Women's World Cup semifinals at 12 p.m. EST on ESPN/

Although the U.S. team is ranked No. 1 overall in the FIFA rankings, they have been far from perfect thus far during the World Cup, falling to Sweden and just barely escaping defeat against a Brazil squad led by Marta, who is widely considered the finest female footballer in the world.

The US will need to be on high alert against a very cohesive French side, ranked seventh in the FIFA rankings, who was tied with Brazil and Germany for most goals scored during the group stage of the tournament with seven.

France defeated England on penalty shots to advance to the semi-finals, and took a whopping 33 shots during the match.

Which team will advance to the World Cup Finals? Follow our live blog for updates!

Friday, July 8, 2011

ARLINGTON, Texas -- A man attending a Texas Rangers game with his young son died after falling out of the stands and about 20 feet to the ground while trying to catch a baseball tossed his way Thursday night, the Rangers and Arlington fire officials said.

Arlington Fire Department officials said in a statement that another fan nearby tried unsuccessfully to grab the man to keep him from falling. They said the victim's son did not fall.

"We had a very tragic accident tonight and one of our fans lost their life reaching over the rail trying to get a ball," team president Nolan Ryan said. "As an organization, and as our team members and our staff, we're very heavy-hearted about this, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family."

A very somber Ryan didn't get into details about the accident or release the man's name.

Ronnie Hargis was sitting in the stands at Rangers Ballpark next to the victim. The men were talking to each other before the accident.

"He went straight down. I tried to grab him but I couldn't," Hargis said. "I tried to slow him down a little bit."

TV replays showed the man falling head-first and landing behind a 14-foot-high wall supporting a video board for replays and scores. The area where the man fell is out of sight from the field.

It is the second fatal fall at a MLB ballpark this season. In May, a 27-year-old man died after he fell about 20 feet and struck his head on concrete during the seventh inning of a Colorado Rockies game. Witnesses told police that the man had been trying to slide down a staircase railing at Coors Field and lost his balance during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The accident in Texas occurred in the second inning after Oakland's Conor Jackson hit a foul ball that ricocheted into left field. Josh Hamilton, the reigning AL MVP, retrieved the ball and tossed it into the stands. Replays on Oakland's television broadcast show the man reaching for the ball and apparently catching it before tumbling.

"We spoke to the ballclub, they understood what has happened and we spoke to Josh," Ryan said. "I think as any of us would be, Josh is very distraught over this, as the entire team is."

The Rangers clubhouse was closed to reporters after the game.

Replays on Oakland's television broadcast show the man reaching for the ball and apparently catching it before falling.

The visitor's bullpen at the stadium is in left-center field. Athletics reliever Brad Ziegler was in tears after the game when he found out the man had died.

"They had him on a stretcher. He said, 'Please check on my son. My son was up there by himself.' The people who carried him out reassured him. 'Sir, we'll get your son, we'll make sure he's OK,'" Ziegler said. "He had his arms swinging. He talked and was conscious. We assumed he was okay. But when you find out he's not, it's just tough."

There was an audible gasp in the stands when the man tumbled over the rail, eerily similar to an accident last July when a man fell about 30 feet from the second-deck of seats down the right-field line while trying to catch a foul ball.

Before the Rangers batted in the second, manager Ron Washington spoke briefly with one of the umpires. Michael Young, who was leading off the inning, could be seen talking to A's catcher Kurt Suzuki and pointing toward the area where the previous accident happened.

Former president George W. Bush was sitting in the front row with Ryan near the Rangers when the accident happened. Ryan left moments later while Bush remained in the seats.

Ryan said the former president, who used to be the team's managing general partner and is a frequent visitor to Rangers games, was aware of what was happening.

Hargis' daughter said the victim's head was bleeding badly.

Safawna Dunn, who was sitting behind the victim, said he appeared to have injuries to both arms and was conscious when taken away on a stretcher.

"Josh Hamilton tried to throw (the ball) up to the guy because they were yelling for the ball," Dunn said.

Last July at Rangers Ballpark, a fan fell 30 feet from the second deck of seats at Rangers Ballpark while trying to catch a foul ball. That fan, Tyler Morris, suffered a fractured skull and sprained ankle.

After Morris was hurt last year, he called the incident a "100 percent, total accident that could have happened to anybody." He said he didn't blame the Rangers or the ballpark.

Ryan said it was too early to talk the two accidents and what evaluations the team might make about railings at the stadium.

"Tonight, we're not prepared to speak about anything further than the accident and the tragedy," Ryan said. "That's where I'm going to leave it."

Sunday, April 3, 2011

- Neil sent word that The Great Khali eliminated WWE United States Champion Sheamus last to win the pre-show dark match battle royal with RAW and SmackDown Superstars. Neil was under the impression at first that the United States Title match was taking place but it didn't as they changed it right before the battle royal.

- And we're live from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia as Justin Roberts welcomes us and introduces R&B singer Keri Hilson to sing America The Beautiful. It's a packed house in Atlanta and the Dome looks awesome set up for WrestleMania. They do a nice presentation for Hilson's performance.

- We get a nice intro video for WrestleMania, something different. The Rock is introduced and tonight's special guest host comes out to a massive ovation from the crowd as his music plays. The Rock comes out in a track suit and walks around the huge stage area.

The Rock makes his way down to the ring. The WrestleMania set is really impressive this year, as always. Huge chants break out for The Rock as his music stops. The Rock stops and smiles, which gets an even bigger pop. The Rock goes to do his promo but is overwhelmed by the crowd. Finally, The Rock has come back to Atlanta, he says. And finally, The Rock has come back to WrestleMania. Rock promises that this will be the most memorable WrestleMania of all-time. Rock talks about the electricity in the Dome tonight and asks if we can smell it. A "Cena sucks" chant breaks out.

Rock says it's time to have some fun. He says "Wrestle" while the crowd says "Mania." Rock says Cena is in the back trying to decide which rainbow Fruity Pebble shirt he will put on tonight. The crowd continues to boo Cena. A "Fruity Pebbles" chant breaks out. Rock says this is going to get good tonight. Rock takes a sip of water and calls it The People's Water. The Rock says "Yabba" now and has the crowd say "Dabba." The Rock talks more about tonight and gets the crowd hype with a promo. The Rock goes to say "if ya smell..." but stops himself. He says that catchphrase is one of the most famous in the world. He says it doesn't belong to him, it belongs to the people. He wants do something special and asks the crowd to get on their feet, which they already are. Rock has the crowd say "if ya smell....." with him and it's loud, very loud. The Rock's music hits as he makes his way back up the ramp.

- We cut to a WrestleMania video package.

- We're welcomed back to WrestleMania as the pyro explodes in the arena and the familiar music plays inside the Georgia Dome. Michael Cole welcomes us to the Georgia Dome where near 70,000 fans are in attendance.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Jersey Shore Season 3 is Barely Over, and While Not Many Details Have Been Revealed Yet About Jersey Shore Season 4, Some HaveWe felt that the Jersey Shore season 3 finale was a bit flat and not as exciting as some of the past season finales, however, we already have season 4 confirmed and that gives us something to look forward to.

Jersey Shore season 4 will be filmed in Italy, we already know that, and it appears that the cast will be heading there on April 18 to film until June 20.

However, they may be returning to Seaside after all, as there is talks that the cast could film Memorial Day weekend in Jersey after all.

There is also rumors that the producers may be added new cast members for season 4. We just hope it's not Angelina or Jeff (that guy who proposed to Snooki on the cover of a magazine).

It could be fun to maybe get Ryder (Snooki's friend) to come along, or that guy who looked like Ronnie on this season.

What would be the best of all, is to leave Ron and Sam at home, but she know that's not going to happen.

So it appears that the cast are still friends for the most part after season 3, so it will be interesting to see what happens in season 4, and the sooner they film it, the sooner it can get on the air!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Wallace issued an apology Monday, saying "I cannot explain what possessed me to approach the subject as I did, and if I could undo it, I would." See more here.

Self-identified UCLA student Alexandra Wallace has gained national notoriety -- and more than 1,000,000 views -- for posting a YouTube video which shows her in a 3-minute long tirade against Asian students.

In the clip, called "Asians in the Library," Wallace says the "hordes of Asians" at UCLA lack American manners. She also mocks their speech and faults them for calling family in the wake of the tsunami. "I swear they're going through their whole families just checking on everybody from the tsunami thing," she said.

She continues:

All the Asian people that live in all the apartments around me...and everybody that they know that they brought along from Asia with them comes here on the weekends to do their laundry, buy their groceries, and cook their food for the week.

It's seriously without fail, you will always see old Asian people running around this apartment complex every weekend. That's what they do. They don't teach their kids to fend for themselves...

Hi. In America we do not talk on our cell phones in the library...I'll be typing away furiously, blah blah blah, and then all of the sudden, when I'm about to, like, reach an epiphany, over here from somewhere, 'OHH Ching chong ling long ting tong? OHH'

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She concludes the video by saying that "even if you're not Asian you really shouldn't be on your cell phone in the library." How diplomatic.

The Daily Bruin reports that university spokesman Phil Hampton called the video repugnant, and added that the student is inquiring into whether Wallace is enrolled as a student.

Check out Wallace's vitriolic rant in full below. Share your thoughts in the comments section.